Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopil: “Sorrows and persecutions lead us to God”

Ternopil, March 12, 2015

What is essential to remember for a Christian who is being persecuted? Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopil and Kremenets (Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has been under particular pressure from the Uniates and the so-called “Kiev Patriarchate”) has answered the questions of the Pravlife.org portal.

    

“Sorrows and persecutions drive us to turn to God. It seems, humanly speaking, there is no hope, and we are persecuted, so we must seek salvation from God. If it were not for sorrows, we would probably not have turned to God. One should not be afraid of this,” His Eminence said. When he was asked: what those currently experiencing various hardships should do, he replied: “Turn to God more zealously and be humble before the will of God. Be drawn to God alone.

This is the call of God that reminds us that He is our only Savior and the One Who will help us in any circumstances. The state of sorrow just reminds us about it. And such human behavior indicates that “all men are liars” (Ps. 115:11) and the Lord is the Savior. This is what we will keep in mind, like the first Christians; this is what we will strive for. And will all together set our hopes upon God’s help.”

Pravoslavie.ru

3/13/2015

See also
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This openly provocative and illegal decision has been made by deputies of the Ternopil city council at the session on March 3, 2015, thus showing disregard for the Ukrainian legislation which defines the equal treatment of all religions by the government. Memorial crosses desecrated in the Nikolayev region of the Ukraine Memorial crosses desecrated in the Nikolayev region of the Ukraine Memorial crosses desecrated in the Nikolayev region of the Ukraine Memorial crosses desecrated in the Nikolayev region of the Ukraine
The culprits also felled another memorial cross that stood on the highway near the Semenivka village of the Arbuzynka district, poured the flammable liquid on it and set it alight. Nearby they dropped leaflets calling “to free the country from spiritual slavery”. Russian Church calls for protection for its churches in Ukraine Russian Church calls for protection for its churches in Ukraine Russian Church calls for protection for its churches in Ukraine Russian Church calls for protection for its churches in Ukraine
The Moscow Patriarchate has called for an end to attacks on Orthodox churches in Ukraine. Christians persecuted in Ukraine by national-radical forces - Lavrov Christians persecuted in Ukraine by national-radical forces - Lavrov Christians persecuted in Ukraine by national-radical forces - Lavrov Christians persecuted in Ukraine by national-radical forces - Lavrov
"Three Orthodox priests have been killed, and many others have fled to Russia from extremist threats," he said. Ukrainian nationalists attack Moscow Patriarchate's church in Sumy Ukrainian nationalists attack Moscow Patriarchate's church in Sumy Ukrainian nationalists attack Moscow Patriarchate's church in Sumy Ukrainian nationalists attack Moscow Patriarchate's church in Sumy
When Archbishop Yevglogy of Sumy and Okhtyrka, having finished the prayer service, went on the stairs of the cathedral "the masked young men tried to approach him, shouting various dirty profane words and threats of physical extermination," the spokesperson said. Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil relates the number of churches seized by schismatics Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil relates the number of churches seized by schismatics Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil relates the number of churches seized by schismatics Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil relates the number of churches seized by schismatics
He has pointed out that “the people who are seizing the UOC MP churches are not only violating the state laws but are also breaking the Commandments”.
Comments
Benjamin Chung1/28/2017 3:27 am
I feel sorrow that the orthodox churches of Ukraine and Russia are being used in a malicious manner by political extremists to sow discord and hate....let us remember and be mindful of the fact that the vast majority of the ukrainian orthodox believers and also the russian orthodox believers are in fact supportive of each other and would much rather to live in peace and unity of mind and unity of faith. Russians and Ukrainians should respect each other due their close historical and cultural ties over the centuries....the common faith in God and Jesus Christ should relieve any serious political tensions and lead to better peaceful effective social and economic cooperation between the two respectful and culturally wonderful nations. My prayer is that Ukrainian and Russian orthodox christians will work and pray for peace always and that any attacks on any orthodox church whether Ukrainian or Russian should not be tolerated...
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